standby /ˈstændˌbai/ n. [c] 1. 备用的人或物：Keep some candles as a standby in case the power fails.预备一些蜡烛以防断电。A generator was kept as a standby in case of power failure. 为防供电中断把一台发电机用作应急设备。2. 用于短语on standby 随时准备行动；处于待命状态：The emergency services were put on standby after a bomb warning. 接到炸弹警报后，各紧急救助部门进入待命状态。Buses were placed on standby for the journey to London.公共汽车随时准备出发去伦敦。